Post by Cait on Jun 4, 2018 19:49:31 GMT -8

Just outside Golden Flight HoldLate Afternoon

Though she'd begun making a deliberate effort to insert herself into the running of the Weyr, Rekkora still held no rank aside from Queenrider. It was strange how once upon a time that had been all she had striven for. Impressing a queen ranking dragon had been her singular goal and it had been achieved. In the absence of a proper goal, Rekkora had floundered a bit, struggled to find herself in her new role. The fact that her queen was the first Abyss seen since the first Weyr Wars and the reactions it had drawn from others hadn't helped. She'd tried to pretend that the words and the looks hadn't bothered her, but beneath the vanity and condescension was still that teenage girl seeking approval.

To be fair, she had grown quite a bit since Impression but the damage had already done. Despite her confidence and vanity, Rekkora was convinced that she was despised by at least half if not a majority of the Weyr. She felt watched and untrusted...judged. Sunvoiath acted as a balm much of the time, as did S'rico, but there was only so much either could do about the way others treated her. And while her flirtatious and manipulative ways weren't gone entirely, Rekkora had done her best to be seen as something more than just the Abyss queen's vain and vapid rider.

But with Retny filling the role of Junior Weyrwoman and Artemis claiming a great deal of attention and fuss with her Azure queen, Rekkora often found herself feeling a bit cast aside. It was admittedly petty reasons that left her feeling less than desirable. After hatching Artemis and her Azure had garnered armed guards; Rekkora hadn't even received an escort after nearly being assaulted by a crazed candidate. That had perhaps been the biggest blow to her sense of worth. Was Sunvoiath less treasured than Zabrielth? Rekkora certainly didn't think so. There were other little things that she'd read into perhaps a little too much, but she was young and thrived on attention. She'd been built up her entire life for that moment of Impression but what happened after had never really been addressed. Had her mother thought that Impression solved all troubles? Probably.

Still, when Rilora approached her about a task that she needed help with in Golden Flight, Rekkora was hesitant. She'd almost asked if perhaps someone else might be a better choice but had kept her mouth shut. Sunvoiath was even oddly content to convey both of them to the Hold. Rekkora found it strange that the Weyrwoman didn't just procure a smaller dragon for the transport. Why ask her? Still, she'd donned what she felt was an appropriate dress, light weight but just shy of casual with minimal embroidery around the collar. Korvalia had sent a pattern for split skirts that allowed for riding pants to be worn underneath and while it was a practical design, the situation seemed to call for something a bit more traditional. Either a dress or riding gear and since a dress was easier to don and would be more comfortable in the long run, she'd chosen the pale blue gown with its cream colored embroidery. She could wear her fur lined riding jacket over it for the brief trip between.

When they arrived over the Hold, Rekkora prepared herself for the reaction of the Holders. She still remembered the way Cliffside holders had reacted when Sunny had appeared to join in the festivities of a graduation gather. The officials at Golden Flight might have been expecting Rilora, but that didn't mean that they were expecting an Abyss to appear above their Hold during a time of war. Schooling her features into a cold, haughty mask, she still couldn't suppress a flinch when, as they landed, a startled shout sounded and was echoed by a few others. Hooking her riding jacket on Sunvoiath's gear, Rekkora had done her best to be a good little queenrider; polite and quiet as she observed Rilora conducting business but it was hard to ignore the speculative glances from various individuals in the room. Still, she remained, refusing to be the monster they expected her to be.

It was over after what felt like ages and by that point Rekkora was emotionally frayed. When Rilora suggested they stop at her family home for a meal, she didn't object. Directions were given and before long the Abyss was landing several yards from a small croft. Comparing Rilora's family to her own was like comparing a warm blanket to a slab of ice. She'd never seen such genuine affection or had her own mother fuss over her the way Rilora's mother fussed over her. The Castor-Malvois clan were a hard, determined bunch. Only her father could come close to the warmth she witnessed and even he came off a little cold in comparison. Then there were all of her brothers. Only having the one and it being B'rek...she only met the one but the stories that were told about the others made the family seem almost unreal. A bit overwhelmed by all the good will and laughter, Rekkora politely excused herself to check on Sunvoiath.

[smear:#111111]Do you not care for the company? They seem quite general...genuine? Yes I believe that is it. Much more so than the holders.[/smear:#d4a514:0]

They're lovely, dear. I just need to breathe. I'm not used to that much... Now Rekkora struggled to find the right word. Shrugging, she lifted the hem of her skirt and started toward the field where Sunny had landed.

Post by Kaya on Jun 5, 2018 9:41:16 GMT -8

Though Archith had been rather reluctant, Rilora convinced her it was needed that she go with Rekkora and Sunvoiath themselves. The Gold complained a while longer about her leaving and then carried on about how wonderful her eggs were and all their intricacies that demanded her complete attention. Rilora listened patiently and still made it away in time to make the appointment she had with Lord Galten. The meeting went well enough, and the vital information on the war effort relayed, the logistics of watches and deliveries and supply amounts negotiated. However, Galten was a humble and sociable man who wanted very much to stretch meetings on and on with amusing but ultimately unnecessary tales and consultations. If one were lucky, he might only parade out half the Hold's staff to report and exchange pleasantries and the like. It made the relationship warm, to be certain, though it took an age to accomplish what might be done in an hour. All in all, it served well the purpose of introducing Rekkora to more of the Hold folk in what was hopefully a positive light. She was a battle hero, and with very little additional information Galten could make any deed shine should he be so inclined.

So when she and Rekkora finally concluded their business Rilora was hungry, and very ready for the ease of home. She greeted her parents, oldest brother, and younger sisters with quick embraces and introductions to Rekkora before disappearing into the kitchen, much to their amusement. Slice of bread in hand, Rilora was better prepared for the remainder of dinner to be finished and set. She told them about herself, and Lithena, and was repaid with stories of the farm, their family and neighbors, of Bre's interest in a young man from the Hold, and Rina's first crush (which started with embarrassment and concluded with her own tale of justification). Rilora also learned she had a new niece, arrived just a sevenday ago to Lorinya and her husband. They had sent a letter but it must not have quite arrived.

It was on the end of that conversation that Rilora noticed Rekkora hadn't returned. She gave it one more pass, listening to Jubore's telling of planting season through the eyes of his sons, but when that concluded Rekkora still wasn't back. So she excused herself a moment and ventured outside, hearing her mom remind her on the way out to come back for dessert. They had strawberries.

The farm's fields rustled in the waning wind, almost gone with the sundown. The last greens for the day from growing crops and grassy hillsides. She approached Sunvoiath, finally catching view of her Rider. She waited until she was close enough not to shout before speaking. "Hey. No room for dessert?" she queried with a light and casual voice to ask a question different than the exact words described.

Post by Cait on Jul 29, 2018 12:29:16 GMT -8

Through Sunny, Rekkora was aware of Rilora’s approach before she spoke. She supposed she’d been gone longer than intended, but she just hadn’t been able to inject herself back into the merry family reunion. It wasn’t that she didn’t like them, they all seemed like lovely people and everyone had been so accepting. Maybe that was the issue? She was so used to preparing herself for the worst in the past turn or so that it was becoming difficult to accept things when they turned out not to be as bad as she’d expected. The abyss was patient and understanding of her paranoia and having been subjected to a bit of judgment herself understood why Rekkora felt the way she did at least on a philosophical level. As far as Sunvoiath was concerned, she was a queen and would be treated as such. Not everyone fawned over Archith after all, or Oriaketh for that matter.

As Archith’s rider approached, the abyss dipped her head in silent greeting and then gave her rider a nudge when Rekkora remained stubbornly silent. [smear:#111111]You will speak to her. She will help.[/smear:#d4a415:0] It was far past the time that Rekkora be brought further out of her shell. Kumori and S’rico had gone a long way to bolstering the young woman but it was time for her to get guidance from someone who understood at least a bit more about the expectations her rider faced and could provide a constructive outlet for the ambition and drive the abyss knew Rekkora possessed. Besides, she knew better than Rekkora what was needed in that moment. It was only right she take control and lead her in the right direction.

Shoving half-heartedly back at the massive black head, Rekkora sighed and turned to face Rilora a pensive look pinching her features. For a moment it seemed like she was about to say something, her lips parting before they pressed closed again. Admitting to some sort of flaw was not even remotely a strength of hers. She was not a humble or even logical creature most of the time and often let emotion get the better of her. [smear:#111111]Speak![/smear:#d4a415:0] Sunny’s command was accompanied by a low rumble and a flick of her tail and as though compelled, words flew from Rekkora’s mouth.

“You don't want me here!” Blinking, as though startled by her own words, the young woman flushed and averted her gaze. The forceful rumble that the abyss had issued turned into a gentle croon as the dragon’s tail curled between the two woman and around her rider in a comforting manner. Sunvoiath was convinced that all of her rider’s fears were nonsense and so wasn’t particularly concerned, but did not like that Rekkora’s secret fears bothered her enough to keep her from socializing or kept her up some nights.

Post by Kaya on Jan 27, 2019 20:08:30 GMT -8

Rilora watched Rekkora consider. In all honesty she'd been through a similar cycle of expressions, though she would pretend otherwise at work. But this wasn't work. This was family time. Plus Rekkora. Who hadn't exactly been eager to get close to most, but this had been a good bit of progress. Maybe it still was.

She made a quick change to express surprise at the words Rekkora forced out. She restyled her face into disagreement, stating, "Now that's decidedly not true. Why-- Is that really what you think?"